MD of Enso Group Vaibhav Maloo comes forward to speak on the same, highlighting how screen time affects the eyes and the brain.
Though it is amazing to see how the new tech developments have taken over almost all industries of the world, it has also sent alarming signals to people, making them understand how every coin has two sides. The positive changes that the internet has offered people have made almost everything available at their fingertips, but it has also made people lazy and also limited their daily physical activities, say a few researchers. “Everything, when done in moderation, is good; going beyond that can definitely affect humans way more than they think,” says Managing Director of Enso Group and business talent Vaibhav Maloo.
He also points out how people are aware of the sun’s harmful rays, and overexposure to it can have detrimental effects on their health, but conveniently ignore the harmful light of the screens, which can prove to be equally or sometimes even more problematic. Though the screens aren’t as bright as the sun, they produce short-wavelength, high-energy blue light, which can potentially cause eye strain. However, as per the American Optometric Association, this is not really a serious issue and can be solved by habitually looking away from the screen and practicing basic techniques for reducing the strain.
He adds further that the blue light rays emitted from the screens can damage the retinal cells, leading to several issues like age-related macular degeneration. Hence, it is extremely crucial for people to limit screen time and spend less time on social media, which unfortunately has become a kind of a lifestyle, especially for the youth and Gen-Z.
Not just the eyes, he says that the blue rays from the screen also affect the brain, especially of kids, who usually spend more than two hours a day on screen time activities, leading to lower scores on thinking and language tests. More screen time for people makes them hooked on electronics and the internet, so much so that it releases the “feel good chemical” dopamine that, on a brain scan it, looks the same as cocaine use. It basically desensitizes the brain’s reward system, and with more screen time, the reward pathways become overused, becoming less sensitive.
He points out that it overloads the sensory system, saying that it can also fracture attention and deplete mental reserves. It encourages aggressive behavior in people. Since attention suffers due to increased social media and screen time, the ability of a person to process the internal and external environment also suffers.
Lowered social media and screen time will lead to better eyesight and far better brain function, which will also help in reducing stress, depression, and feelings of anxiety. It will encourage people for more physical activities.
On an ending note, Vaibhav Maloo says, “Internet is an unavoidable double-edged sword. Learn to control the urge to be on your phone or PC.”
